# NTSB FTW83LA052: Piper PA-28-140, N6745W, Garland, TX, December 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1982, 22:00 local (Dec 6, 1982, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Garland, TX
- Coordinates: 32.910629, -96.670616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9106&lon=-96.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA052

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT NIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACK FIRE AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF RPM AND METAL-TO-METAL SOUNDS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTORE THE POWER, BUT TO NO AVAIL. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN DARKNESS, THE PILOT SAW TREES WHEN THE PLANE WAS ABOUT 50 FT AGL, BUT TOO LATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE AND WAS SHEARED OFF. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE, PN.74541, HAD FAILED. THE VALVE HAD ACCUMULATED 1808 HRS SINCE INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6745W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6745W-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 28-20868, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20868
- Airframe hours: 3158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve J. Romine
- Registered owner: Steve J. Romine
- Departed: F26, PLANO, TX
- Destination: F26, PLANO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 239 total, 75 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821206062309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821206062309A), Dec 6, 1982: Piper PA28140, Garland, TX, Substantial damage. Engine swallowed a broken valve stem en route at night. Struck a tree on forced landing in an undeveloped area.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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